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Racism Today

“…Everybody jumped on him, beat the hell out of him… Everybody was hittinghim or kicking him. One guy was kicking at his spine. Another guy hitting onthe side of the face… He was unconscious. He was bleeding. Everybody hadblood on their forearms. We ran back up the hill laughing… He should havedied… He lost so much blood he turned white. He got what he deserved”(Ridgeway 167.)The skinheads who performed this random act of racial violence in 1990,had no reason to brutally beat their victim other than the fact that he wasMexican (Ridgeway 167). Racism is objectively defined as any practice of ethnicdiscrimination or segregation. Fortunately, racial violence is steadilydeclining as the turn of the century approaches.Now a new form of racism,covert racism, has recently sprung from the pressures of political correctness.

This new form of racism, although slowly declining, still shows signs of strongsupport (Piazza 86). Covert racism assumes a form of civil disobedience againstpolitically correct thought and speech. Essentially, covert racism is a “hidden”racism, or a racism not easily detected (Piazza 78). “Racism is still stronglyprevalent in today’s society” (Gudorf 3).

The three different basic forms of racism, open racism, violent racism,and covert racism all express forms of hatred towards distinct ethnic groups(Bender 47). These basic forms of racism, although different in form, all havethe same main purpose, to promote racism. Open racism expresses freedom ofracial thought and speech. Open racists promote their views through strictlypersuasionary tactics. This form of racism is allowed in our society because ofthe First Amendment. Open racism is currently almost nonexistent and steadilydeclining, because it is considered politically incorrect and sociallyunacceptable. Violent racism promotes racism through violence, fear, andpersuasionary tactics (Leone 49) This form of racism is not protected by theFirst Amendment because it promotes violence to express its ideas.

Unfortunately many violent racial groups claim they do not promote violence, andtherefore these groups are protected by the First Amendment because not enoughsufficient evidence exists to prove their violent intent (Ridgeway 123).

Covert racism expresses ideas of racism in disguised forms; sometimesthe covert racist is not even aware of the fact that he is racist. “Racism, itis asserted, is no longer blatant: people nowadays are reluctant to expressopenly their dislike of and contempt for minorities, indeed are not prepared toexpress publicly a sentiment that could be interpretted as racist. Racism, itis said, is subtle: it is disguised, kept out of sight” (Enrlich 73) “Thesuggestion that there is a new racism–a racism that has a new strengthprecisely because it doesn’t appear to be racism–deserves seriousconsideration” (Piazza 66). Avoiding minorities on the street and denial of apublic benefit to a minority which would be awarded to a white are examples ofcovert racism. “Since it is no longer politically correct to openly expressone’s racist views, people therefore favor disguised, indirect ways to expresstheir bigotry” (Piazza 68). Covert racism is the most abundant form of racismin our society today.

What causes racism? Unfortunately, the answer is much longer anddetailed than the question. The three main causes for racism are: racism hasbecome part of our heritage, right-wing racial and political groups, and pridein one’s own race.

Practically since the dawn of man’s existence man has undoubtedly noticeddifferences between races. “Racism’s presence throughout the formation of ourculture is quite evident” (Tucker 17). Frequently throughout history the ethnicgroup with the most power has assumed that its race and culture are superior toothers. The same incident even occurred in America with the introduction ofslaves. Throughout American history, racism has been strongly prevalent.

These roots undoubtedly are the source for a great many of the racist groups andcovert racism ideas found throughout our society.

Extremist social and political groups, particularly those advocatingright-wing policies of racial inequality, promote racism as well. These groupsserve as the epitome of racial thought and speech (Ridgeway 10). The followingrepresent various racist groups found throughout the United States: John BirchSociety, Ku Klux Klan, Knights of the KKK, Invisible Empire, NAAWP, White AryanResistance, American Front, Nazi Skinheads, Posse Comitatus, Aryan Nations, TheOrder, and National Alliance (Ridgeway 15). All of these groups are given thefreedom to express their ideas of racism because of the First Amendment (CIEQ16). Although the First Amendment protects the speech of these groups, manynone the less find it necessary to use violence to promote their cause. Racistgroups now make extensive use of covert racism to extend their message of racismthroughout our society. This form of racism has proven quite effective, in thepast ten years, at persuading others to adopt racist ideas (Piazza 69). Thesegroups serve as a symbol of racism itself to many in our society (Ridgeway 29).

A large source of the racism present in our society stems from one’spride in his own race. Many people, especially those associated with racistgroups, find it necessary to put down other ethnic groups in an attempt tostrengthen their own (Bender 113). This mode of thought and reasoning usuallyresults in extreme hatred of other races and an overall sense of bigotry.

Reasoning in this manner equates to many associated with racist groups. Pridein one’s race may eventually lead to covert racism thought (Piazza 87).

Covert racism affects our society in a variety of different manners.

“Indeed it should be said that covert racism has permanently scarred our society,both politically and socially” (Piazza 1). Racial politics have changed sincethe era of the civil rights movement, when the issue of race, at its heart,came down fundamentally to whether whites were prepared to accept other races astheir equals (Bloom 29). “Now, however, the issue of race has become morecomplex^more complex because there are now multiple agendas includingaffirmative action, quotas, and set-asides” (Piazza 34).The main agendarevolves around affirmative action, steps taken by an employer, school, or otherinstitution to expand oppurtunities for blacks, hispanic people, women or otherminority groups. “The clear implications of the most recent Supreme Courtdecisions on affirmative action programs is that such programs will be upheld incertain circumstances to remedy past discrimination” (Bloom 48). However, manywhites view this special treatment of minorities for past discrimination asdiscrimination towards themselves. This “reverse discrimination” has lead tomany debates and controversies concerning race and racial politics (Piazza 30).

Unfortunately this sort of political environment encourages covert racism inmany whites as a counterattack against affirmative action. Our political systemmust first become racially unbiased before our society may become moreethnically diverse. If all men are created equal, then why should differences inrace matter? Unfortunately our society has not lived up to the standards set byits forefathers. Racism, especially covert racism, still affects our societysocially. Covert racism is a form of civil disobedience for racists to spreadideas of racism throughout our society (Piazza 68).